Emergency relief to the Philippines
Christian Aid is working to help some of the poorest people left homeless by tropical storm Ketsana after flood waters swept through the Philippine capital of Manila.
The development charity is supplying food, clean water and medical supplies to those forced to flee their homes as the heaviest rains for a generation flooded 80 percent of the capital. More than 140 people have died and 450,000 people have been left homeless, according to officials.
The scale of the crisis highlights the importance of reaching an effective deal on climate change at the meeting now in Bangkok and at the UN summit in Copenhagen in December. ncreasingly harsh weather conditions disproportionately affect the poorest in developing countries.
"The floods in Manila demonstrate powerfully again the need for the world to tackle the devastating effects of climate change," says Ray Hasan, the head of policy in Asia for Christian Aid. "It is no surprise that some of the poorest communities in Manila are among the worst hit by the flooding."
Evacuated families have gathered in churches and schools and depend on relief for essential supplies. Electricity has been cut off to parts of the city. Christian Aid is funding three organisations that work with some of the poorest people living in the city. They are delivering clean water, mosquito nets and cooking equipment to families who have lost everything.
Some areas remain cut off and there are concerns over further heavy rains and health problems caused by contaminated water supplies and unsanitary conditions.
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